Grading the Buffalo Bills’ 2010 NFL Draft: Torell Troup

Buffalo Bills Career:

Unfortunately, there is not much to write about when it comes to Troup’s NFL career. His rookie season was by far his most productive with the team.

During the 2010 season, Troup played in 15 games. He started in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished the season with 23 total tackles, 11 of which were solo, and two passes defensed.

In 2011, Troup’s production dwindled. He sat out of four of the team’s first five games and only played in six games during the season. The team had been keeping Troup out due to back problems. On November 30th, the team placed Troup on the injured reserve due to a lower spine fracture. He finished the season with eight tackles.

Troup underwent surgery in mid-December to repair the fracture. Troup was aiming to return near training camp and said he wanted to prove that he could play in the NFL:

“My goal is to show everyone that I can play at this level,” he told BuffaloBills.com. “I know I can. I’m smart enough and physical enough to play at this level. I want to look back at the end of the year and celebrate knowing I completed all my goals and did everything I set out to do and move forward from there. Stepping on the field in September is going to be important, but finishing the year is what’s going to be big for me.”

Troup practiced with the team but did not see any preseason games due to lingering pain in his back. On August 23rd, the team placed Troup back on the injured reserve for the 2012 season.

Heading into 2013, Troup will be playing in the final year of his rookie contract. He has gone on the record to say that he is healthy heading into the 2013-2014 season:

“I feel like I’m done with rehab,” Troup told the Buffalo News. “I’ve been working out for the last month. I haven’t been seeing much of the trainers, because there’s been no need, other than icing and things like that.”

Troup doesn’t know what his role will be in 2013, but he could be a valuable asset in Mike Pettine’s defense:

“That’s all I’ve been thinking about. I’m so hungry and so ready to get out on the field, just to have any kind of contact and be a normal player again,” he told the Buffalo News. “It’s hard coming to camp knowing I wasn’t ready to go and still trying to go. Now that I know I’m good and I get these couple months to train and be with my teammates, I really can’t wait to get out there.”

Final Grade: Incomplete

Maybe I’m a softy, but I just can’t give Troup a failing grade. Back injuries are serious matters, especially when you weigh over 300 pounds and your job is to take on blocks.

This season is going to be a major test for Troup to see if he can play in the NFL. I’m pulling for Troup and hope he makes Buffalo look wise for selecting him at pick 41. He may never live down being selected ahead of Rob Gronkowski, but in Pettine’s defense he could be a true diamond in the rough.

Nice work Ryan! I hold Troup in the same category as Marcus Easley. Their careers run a similar path. I hope he is healthy and can stay healthy however he is really very much like a rookie this year considering his limited playing time. Let’s hope he pans out. I think this is his last kick at the can. Good work!

Thanks Glenn! I agree that there are plenty of similarities between Troup and Easley. If I had to pick one who will be the final roster in 2013, I’d go with Troup without hesitation.

Easley is going to have to thoroughly impress the coaching staff in training camp and stay healthy. I’m thinking the Bills keep six WRs at most. Obviously Johnson and Woods are locks. I doubt the team gives up on Graham (who has looked good in OTAs) and Goodwin will be on the roster too. Da’Rick Rogers may be an undrafted free agent, but I think he’s more talented than some of the aforementioned names. That leaves Easley competing with plenty of other WRs for that final spot.